eory of natural selection are objections which vitally
affect the theory only as it has been stated and upheld by Wallace. As
the theory has been stated and upheld by Darwin, all these objections
are irrelevant. This is a fact which I had not myself perceived at the
time when I mentioned these objections in a paper entitled
_Physiological Selection_, which was published in 1886. The discussions
to which that paper gave rise, however, led me to consider these matters
more closely; and further study of Darwin's writings, with these matters
specially in view, has led me to see that none of the objections in
question are relevant to his theory, as distinguished from that of Mr.
Wallace. This, I acknowledge, I ought to have perceived before I
published the paper just alluded to; but in those days I had had no
occasion to follow out the differences between Darwin and Wallace to all
their consequences, and therefore adopted the prevalent view that their
theories of evolution were virtually identical. Now, however, I have
endeavoured to make it clear that the points wherein they differ involve
the important consequences above set forth. All these the most
formidable objections against the theory of natural selection arise
simply and solely from what I conceive to be the erroneous manner in
which the theory has been presented by Darwin's distinguished colleague.

* * * * *

I have now considered, as impartially as I can, all the main criticisms
and objections which have been brought against the theory of natural
selection; and the result is to show that, neither singly nor
collectively, are they entitled to much weight. On the other hand, as
we have seen in the preceding chapter, there is a vast accumulation of
evidence in favour of the theory. Hence, it is no wonder that the theory
has now been accepted by all naturalists, with scarcely any one notable
exception, as at any rate the best working hypothesis which has ever
been propounded whereby to explain the facts of organic evolution.
Moreover, in the opinion of those most competent to judge, the theory is
entitled to be regarded as something very much more than a working
hypothesis: it is held to be virtually a completed induction, or, in
other words, the proved exhibition of a general law, whereby the
causation of organic evolution admits of being in large part--if not
altogether--explained.

Now, whether or not we subscribe to this latter co